Take Note

Wow. Other stationery stores, take note. This is how you stock and run a stationary store. So many «specialty stationary» stores in Toronto (the majority of which reside on Queen Street West), have fancy paper, overpriced calendars and journals and generally kitschy stuff. You’re hard pressed to find really good brand pens (like Lamy) or proper notebooks.
Every store thinks they’re «specialty» because they carry every damn brand of Moleskine and Rhodia notebooks. Sorry, but those are overpriced brands for casual note-​takers.
TAKE NOTE has actual legitimate brands of notebooks from all around the world: Maruman (which no other store in Toronto seems to carry), Calirefontaine, and even obscure brands like Shinola (which are all made in the USA) and Hobonichi! Talk about careful and precise curation of a shop. Their pen selection is also expansive. Seriously, Toronto needs to step up their pen game. Thankfully, Take Note has entered the ring with stellar products. And seriously, the best prices I’ve encountered. I buy all of my stationary from JetPens because of the limited options in this city and this store holds up to those prices and many times beats them.
Super happy this moved into my hood. Will be returning. Here’s the thing: people often argue I shouldn’t buy all of my stuff online. And I shouldn’t! I’m more than happy to support a local shop than be forced to go online. As long as those brick and mortar stores are like Take Note, I see no reason to go into cyberspace.

Technology has it’s place. We rely on our Cell Phones & Computers more than ever. Even with Technology at our fingertips we’re always looking for Pen & Piece of Paper.
I love this business.
Take note … Need a Pen & Paper. ‘take note’

Having always been a big fan of stationery, and especially writing notes and cards, I was SUPER PUMPED when I heard this shop was opening. As well, I had been lamenting the lack of places to buy awesome greeting cards after Chapters, and the card store, closed at Runnymede and Bloor. (Although admittedly, my side rant — when did it become normal to pay $ 10 for a greeting card!!! SHEESH! Do I really need THAT much fabric and rhinestones on my cards!!!)
Take Note just opened yesterday, and I mosied in just before closing and marveled at the selection of beautifully curated objects (notebooks, mugs, pens, paper, witty cards, etc.). My sister is a huge fountain pen nerd, and several of the inks that I’ve seen her using before (even an obscure Japanese one!), are all available at the store.
I will definitely be back to take a closer look!